(USA) Principal, Data Scientist

Walmart • Sunnyvale, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Walmart is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to provide technical leadership and drive the strategy, architecture, and development of advanced AI/ML solutions for complex retail and e-commerce challenges. This role will lead innovation across Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Generative AI, and Agentic AI, influence technical direction across teams, and translate business problems into scalable solutions with measurable impact. The successful candidate will partner across Data Science, Engineering, Product, and Business teams, mentor data scientists, and raise technical standards across the organization. The Market Intelligence team provides timely, actionable insights on market trends, competitors, customers, and emerging opportunities to support Walmart’s strategic decisions. Leveraging advanced analytics, predictive modeling, and collaboration across functions, the team anticipates external changes and identifies growth opportunities and risks. Members lead complex projects, apply innovative data science techniques, and contribute to continuous improvement and mentorship. Their work drives data-informed strategies that enhance competitive positioning and business success, supporting leadership in achieving organizational goals through effective project management and analytical expertise.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field, with 10+ years of relevant experience; experience in retail or e-commerce is a strong plus.
• Strong expertise in Machine Learning, Deep Learning, GenAI, Agentic AI, and Statistics, with experience building scalable production solutions.
• Proficiency in Python, PyTorch/TensorFlow, NLP, Computer Vision, and MLOps, including model validation, deployment, and lifecycle management.
• Strong experience with data management, SQL/NoSQL, data quality, and predictive analytics.
• Proven technical leadership, including mentoring teams, defining technical direction, and driving execution aligned with business objectives.
• Option 1: Bachelors degree in Statistics, Economics, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Technology or related field and 5 years' experience in an analytics related field.
• Option 2: Masters degree in Statistics, Economics, Analytics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Technology or related field and 3 years' experience in an analytics related field.
• Option 3: 7 years' experience in an analytics or related field

Nice To Haves

• Data science, machine learning, optimization models, PhD in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Information Technology, Operations Research, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Econometrics, Publications or active peer reviewer in related journals or conference, Successful completion of one or more assessments in Python, Spark, Scala, or R, Using open source frameworks (for example, scikit learn, tensorflow, torch)
• We value candidates with a background in creating inclusive digital experiences, demonstrating knowledge in implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standards, assistive technologies, and integrating digital accessibility seamlessly.
• The ideal candidate would have knowledge of accessibility best practices and join us as we continue to create accessible products and services following Walmart’s accessibility standards and guidelines for supporting an inclusive culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical strategy, architecture, and development of advanced AI/ML solutions for complex retail and e-commerce problems.
• Drive innovation across Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Generative AI, and Agentic AI, identifying opportunities to apply emerging technologies at scale.
• Design and productionize scalable ML and AI solutions, establishing best practices for evaluation, deployment, monitoring, and lifecycle management.
• Provide technical leadership across multiple initiatives, influencing architecture and technical direction across Data Science, Engineering, Product, and Business teams.
• Translate complex retail and e-commerce problems into AI/ML solutions that deliver measurable business impact.
• Communicate complex technical concepts, recommendations, and business impact to senior technical and business stakeholders.
• Mentor and develop data scientists while raising the organization's technical standards and capabilities.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Performance-based bonus awards
• Medical coverage
• Vision coverage
• Dental coverage
• 401(k)
• Stock purchase
• Company-paid life insurance
• PTO (including sick leave)
• Parental leave
• Family care leave
• Bereavement
• Jury duty
• Voting leave
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Company discounts
• Military Leave Pay
• Adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement
• PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes.
• Live Better U is a Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree